Shock absorber

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a shock absorbing device comprising: a hollow spring including a chamber having a proximal end, a distal end, and a bellows comprised of a springy material connecting the proximal end to the distal end and enclosing the chamber; a shock absorber extending through the hollow spring, the shock absorber including a cylinder and a piston which slidably engages the cylinder, the cylinder extending through and being attached to the hollow spring proximal end, the piston extending through and slidably engaging the hollow spring distal and the piston including contacting device located distally of the hollow spring distal end for urging the hollow spring distal end proximally when the contacting device is forced against the hollow spring distal end and for urging the piston distally when the hollow spring distal end is forced against the contacting device. The present invention also provides mounts for a shock absorbing device and a shock absorbing system employing the shock absorbing device of the present invention.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/562,817filed May 1, 2000, the entire disclosure and contents of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to shock absorbers.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Although many individuals who drive “hot rod” or “street rod” carsprefer suspension systems that provide an “old time hot rod ride”,allowing the driver to feel every bump, dip and pothole in the road,there are many drivers who prefer having a higher “ride quality,” i.e.,a more cushioned ride. However, in order to provide a higher ridequality on such a car, it has been necessary to use fairly complexsuspension systems, often from non-standard automobile parts. Forexample, suspensions for hot rods using typical air ride systems mayrequire hours to fabricate and install. Also, such suspension systemstypically require a shock absorber to be mounted outboard, therebysacrificing tire clearance for ride comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shockabsorbing device that may be easily used in existing vehicle systems.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shockabsorbing device that is easy to manufacture.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a shockabsorbing device that allows for the easy adjustment of ride height ofthe vehicle on which the shock absorbing device is mounted.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a shockabsorbing device that allows for the easy adjustment of the springinessof the ride of the vehicle on which the shock absorbing device ismounted.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide shockabsorbing device having a dual resistance motion dampening action.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a dualresistance motion dampening action that is axially aligned.

According to a first broad aspect, the present invention provides ashock absorbing device comprising: a hollow spring including a chamberhaving a proximal end, a distal end, and a bellows comprised of aspringy material connecting the proximal end to the distal end andenclosing the chamber; a shock absorber extending through the hollowspring, the shock absorber including a cylinder and a piston whichslidably engages the cylinder, the cylinder extending through and beingattached to the hollow spring proximal end, the piston extending throughand slidably engaging the hollow spring distal and the piston includingcontacting means located distally of the hollow spring distal end forurging the hollow spring distal end proximally when the contacting meansis forced against the hollow spring distal end and for urging the pistondistally when the hollow spring distal end is forced against thecontacting means.

According to a second broad aspect, the present invention provides amounting device comprising: a first mount for mounting on and forsealing a first end of a hollow spring and for circumferentially andfixedly engaging a cylinder of a shock absorber.

According to a third broad aspect, the present invention provides amounting device comprising a mount for mounting on and for sealing anend of a hollow spring and for circumferentially and slidably engaging apiston of an elongated shock absorber.

According to a fourth broad aspect, the present invention provides shockabsorber/spring system comprising: at least one shock absorbing device,the shock absorbing device comprising; a hollow spring including achamber having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one wallcomprised of a springy material connecting the proximal end to thedistal end and enclosing the chamber; and a shock absorber extendingthrough the hollow spring, the shock absorber including a cylinder and apiston which slidably engages the cylinder, the cylinder extendingthrough and being attached to the hollow spring proximal end, the pistonextending through and slidably engaging the hollow spring distal and thepiston including contacting means located distally of the hollow springdistal end for urging the hollow spring distal end proximally when thecontacting means is forced against the hollow spring distal end and forurging the piston distally when the hollow spring distal end is forcedagainst the contacting means; and means for filling the hollow springwith a spring filling fluid.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates an extended configuration of a shock absorbingdevice of the present invention having a two-chambered hollow spring;

FIG. 1B illustrates a compressed configuration of the shock absorbingdevice of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A illustrates an extended configuration of a shock absorbingdevice of the present invention having a tapered cylinder hollow spring;

FIG. 2B illustrates a compressed configuration of the shock absorbingdevice of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 illustrates in schematic form a shock absorber/spring system ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

It is advantageous to define several terms before describing theinvention. It should be appreciated that the following definitions areused throughout this application.

Definitions

Where the definition of terms departs from the commonly used meaning ofthe term, applicant intends to utilize the definitions provided below,unless specifically indicated.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “proximal” refers tothe direction towards the cylinder of the shock absorber of the presentinvention.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “distal” refers tothe direction away from the cylinder of a shock absorber of the presentinvention.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “filled” refers to aspring, chamber, etc. being either totally or partially filled with afluid or gaseous media, such as air or water, unless specifiedotherwise.

For the purpose of the present invention, the term “shock absorber”refers to any shock absorber having a piston that slides within acylinder, such as the conventional type of shock absorbers used in caror other vehicle suspension systems.

For the purpose of the present invention, the term “bellows” refers toone or more walls of a spring material such as rubber, plastic or othermalleable material. A bellows used in the present invention may form onecontinuous wall, such as the wall of a two-compartment bellows orcylindrical bellows of the embodiments of the invention described belowand shown in the drawings. However, a bellows of the present inventionmay have various shapes and include more than one wall. For example abellows of the present invention having a hexagonal cross section mayhave six walls.

For the purpose of the present invention, the term “hollow spring”refers to a substantially sealed bellows that may be totally orpartially filled with a spring filling fluid such as a gas or liquid. Anexample of a hollow spring of the present invention is a modifiedconventional two compartment air spring, having a mount attached to eachof the air spring's open ends to seal off each of the open ends.Suitable air springs that may be so modified with two mating rings andtwo mounts to form a hollow spring of the present invention include theconventional truck air springs manufactured by Firestone®. Anotherexample of an air spring that may be modified for use with the presentinvention is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,246, the entire disclosure andcontents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Although a fewtypes of hollow springs are described below and shown in the drawings,the hollow spring of the present invention may have various shapes.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “springy material”refers to a springy substance such as rubber or plastic that resistscompression and springs back to substantially its original shape when acompressive force is no longer exerted on the substance. Examples ofspringy materials include the types of rubbers and/or plastics used toform the walls of conventional bellows for air springs of the type usedon trucks and other vehicles.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “spring fillingfluid” refers to a fluid such as a liquid or gas, such as air, that maybe used to fill the hollow spring of the present invention to providepressure within the hollow spring to resist compression. One example ofsuch a resistance material is air, but other types of gases or fluidsmay also be used as a spring filling fluid for the present invention.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “cylinder resistancematerial” refers to a gas or fluid, such as oil, used as a resistancematerial in the cylinder of a shock absorber.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “circumferentiallyengages” refers to a mount or other object circumferentially contactinga cylinder or piston of a shock absorber of the present invention. Inthe case a cylinder of the present of the present invention, acircumferential engagement may be used to fix the cylinder in place withrespect to the hollow spring mount that engages the cylinder. In thecase of a piston of the present invention, a circumferential engagementmay be used to guide the sliding of the piston with respect to thehollow spring mount that engages the piston.

Description

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a shock absorbing device 100 of a preferredembodiment of the present invention. Shock absorbing device 100 iscomprised of a conventional shock absorber 102 and a hollow spring 104.

Shock absorber 102 includes a cylinder 106 and piston rod 108. Cylinder106 includes a cylinder distal end 110 that extends into hollow spring104 and a cylinder proximal end 112 that extends out of hollow spring104. Piston rod 108 includes a piston rod proximal end 114 that slidesinto and out of cylinder 106; a piston rod middle portion 116 thatslides into and out of hollow spring 104; and a piston rod distal end118 that extends from hollow spring 104. Cylinder 106 includes a bushing120 that slidably engages piston rod proximal end 114 to allow pistonrod proximal end 114 to slide into and out of cylinder 106. Piston rod108 includes a piston 122 that slidably engages a cylinder chamber 124of cylinder 106 and prevents piston rod proximal end 114 from completelysliding through bushing 120 and out of cylinder 106. A cylinderresistance material (not shown) such as oil, present in cylinder chamber124, provides resistance against the movement of piston 122 and pistonrod proximal end 114, both into and out of cylinder 106. Cylinder 106includes a conventional resistance adjusting device 126 that may be usedto adjust the pressure of cylinder resistance material (not shown) incylinder chamber 124, and thereby adjust the resistance piston rod 108experiences as piston rod 108 moves into and out of cylinder 106.

Mounted on piston rod distal end 118 is a piston head 128. Directlybelow piston head 128 is a guide nut 130 screwed onto piston rod distalend 118. Circumferentially surrounding guide nut 130 is a spacer 132,preferably made from a hard material such as metal, or a plastic such asDelrin®. As piston rod 108 moves into and out of hollow spring 104,spacer 132 slides along piston rod 108.

Hollow spring 104, which is filled with a gas or fluid (not shown)includes a conventional bellows 134, a proximal mating ring 136, adistal mating ring 138, a proximal mount 140, a distal mount 142, and aninterior chamber 144. Bellows 134 includes: a proximal compartment 146;a distal compartment 148; a proximal open end 150; and a distal open end152. Proximal mating ring 136 is mounted on proximal open end 150 anddistal mating ring 138 is mounted on distal open end 152. Proximal openend 150 is closed by proximal mount 140 which is mounted on proximalmating ring 136 by six screws 154 (only two of which are visible inFIGS. 1A and 1B). Preferably, proximal mount 140 is made from a strongand durable material such as plastic or metal, such as aluminum. Itshould be appreciated that any number of screws or other attaching meansmay be used and still be within the scope of the present invention.Proximal mount 140 includes a threaded neck 156 that extends intobellows 134. Threaded neck 156 has neck threads 158 that engagecorresponding cylinder threads 160 on cylinder 106 to allow cylinder 106to be locked into place with respect to proximal mount 140. Threadedneck 156 also includes two rubber O-rings 162 and 164 that are mountedin circular grooves 166 and 168, respectively. O-rings 162 and 164assist in providing a tight seal between cylinder 106 and proximal mount140. Distal open end 152 is closed by a distal mount 142 of hollowspring that is mounted on distal mating ring 138 by six screws 170 (onlytwo of which are visible in FIGS. 1A and 1B). Preferably, distal mount142 is made from a strong and durable material such as plastic or metal,such as aluminum. Distal mount 142 includes a distal mount neck 172 thatextends into bellows 134. Distal mount neck 172 includes two rubberO-rings 174 and 176 that are mounted in two respective circular grooves178 and 180. O-rings 174 and 176 slidably engage piston rod 108 aspiston rod 108 slides into and out of hollow spring 104. Distal mount142 includes a distal mount opening 182 that allows gas or fluid to bepumped into hollow spring 104 or to let a gas or fluid out of hollowspring 104 using a conventional pumping mechanism, such as an air pump(not shown) having a hose (not shown) that is attached to distal mountopening 182. Once the gas or fluid hollow spring 104 is determined to beat a desired pressure, a conventional plug (not shown) may be insertedinto distal mount opening 182 to close distal mount opening 182.Alternatively, a pressure monitoring and a gas or fluid supply system(not shown) may be continuously attached to hollow spring 104 at distalmount opening 182 to maintain and/or adjust the air pressure in hollowspring 104.

Shock absorbing device 100 may be mounted similarly to a conventionalshock absorber using cylinder end mounting 184 and piston end mounting186. Although cylinder end mounting 184 and piston end mounting 186 areshown as being orthogonally oriented with respect to each other in theFIGS. 1A and 1B, because piston rod 108 is free to rotate with respectto cylinder 106, cylinder end mounting 184 and piston end mounting 186may be arranged at any rotational angle to allow shock absorbing device100 to be mounted on a car or other vehicle.

FIG. 1A shows shock absorbing device 100 in an extended configuration.In FIG. 1A hollow spring 104 is filled with a spring filling fluid, suchas air, so that distal mount 142 contacts guide nut 130 and spacer 132to urge guide nut 130 and spacer 132 distally from cylinder 106, therebyurging piston head 128 distally from cylinder 106. In the extendedconfiguration shown in FIG. 1A, shock absorbing device 100 functionslike a conventional mechanical or spring or air spring to support avehicle (not shown) on which shock absorbing device 100 is mounted.Guide nut 130, which may be any convenient shape such as hexagonal,octagonal, etc., aligns spacer 132, to insure full contact betweenspacer 132 and piston head 128 and between spacer 132 and distal mount142.

FIG. 1B shows shock absorbing device 100 in a compressed configuration.In FIG. 1B, shock absorbing device 100 is compressed due to an outsideforce, such as is caused by a vehicle (not shown) on which shockabsorbing device 100 is mounted driving over a bumpy road. In FIG. 1B, acompressive force has caused piston head 128 to move proximally to urgespacer 132 against hollow spring 104 thereby urging distal mount 142proximally toward cylinder 106 to compress hollow spring 104. As pistonhead 128 moves proximally, guide nut 130 also moves proximally and urgesdistal mount 142 proximal to compress hollow spring 104. As shockabsorbing device 100 is compressed and piston head 128 is forcedproximally, the cylinder resistance material (not shown) present incylinder chamber 124, resists the motion of piston rod 108 into cylinder106 thereby dampening the motion of piston head 128, just as in aconventional shock absorber. Also resisting the compression of shockabsorbing device 100 is the spring filling fluid (not shown) fillinghollow spring 104. Guide nut 130, which may be any convenient shape suchas hexagon, octagonal, etc., aligns spacer 132, to insure full contactbetween spacer 132 and piston head 128 and between spacer 132 and distalmount 142. In use on a car or other vehicle, the shock absorbing deviceof the present invention provides a dual resistance motion dampeningaction because of the interactions of the shock absorber and the hollowspring of the present invention. The shock absorbing device of thepresent invention also provides an axially aligned dual resistancemotion dampening action, because the shock absorber and the hollowspring share the same axis and, therefore, the principal compression andexpansion motions of the shock absorber and hollow spring are axiallyaligned.

By adjusting the amount/pressure of the spring filling fluid in thehollow spring of the present invention, configurations intermediatebetween the configurations shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B may be obtained. Forexample, more or less air may be pumped into the hollow spring to adjustthe ride height of the vehicle relative to the wheel on which the shockabsorbing spring of the present invention is mounted. The amount ofspring filling fluid and the type of spring filling fluid filling thehollow spring will also affect the springiness of the shock absorbingdevice of the present invention, and hence, the springiness of the rideof the vehicle on which the shock absorbing device is mounted.

The hollow spring shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is a bellows that is used asa component of an off the shelf air spring from Firestone®. The proximaland distal mating rings, are crimped on to this bellows to allow theproximal and distal mounts, respectively, to be mounted on the bellows.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a shock absorbing device 200 of a preferredembodiment of the present invention. Shock absorbing device 200 iscomprised of a conventional shock absorber 202 and a hollow spring 204.

Shock absorber 202 includes a cylinder 206 and piston rod 208. Cylinder206 includes a cylinder distal end 110 that extends into hollow spring204 and a cylinder proximal end 202 that extends out of hollow spring204. Piston rod 208 includes a piston rod proximal end 214 that slidesinto and out of cylinder 206; a piston rod middle portion 216 thatslides into and out of hollow spring 204; and a piston rod distal end218 that extends from hollow spring 204. Cylinder 206 includes a bushing220 that slidably engages piston rod proximal end 214 to allow pistonrod proximal end 214 to slide into and out of cylinder 206. Piston rod208 includes a piston 222 that slidably engages a cylinder chamber 224of cylinder 206 and prevents piston rod proximal end 214 from completelysliding through bushing 220 and out of cylinder 206. A cylinderresistance material (not shown) such as oil, present in cylinder chamber224, provides resistance against the movement of piston 222 and pistonrod proximal end 214, both into and out of cylinder 206. Cylinder 206includes a conventional resistance adjusting device 226 that may be usedto adjust the pressure of cylinder resistance material (not shown) incylinder chamber 224, and thereby adjust the resistance piston rod 208experiences as piston rod 208 moves into and out of cylinder 206.Mounted on piston rod distal end 218 is a piston head 228.

Hollow spring 204, which is filled with a gas or fluid (not shown)includes a bellows 234, a two-part proximal mount 240, a distal mount242, and an interior chamber 244. Bellows 234 includes a proximal openend 250; and a distal open end 252. Two-part proximal mount 240 includesa proximal adapter 254 and a distal adapter 256, which may both be madefrom a hard substance such as plastic or metal. Preferably, proximaladapter 254 and distal adapter 256 are made from aluminum. A distaladapter 256 of two-part proximal mount 240 is mounted on proximal openend 250 to close proximal open end 250. Proximal adapter 254 is mountedon cylinder 206 and abuts distal adapter 256. Depending on theparticular application, proximal adapter 254 may or may not be fixed todistal adapter 256 by conventional means. If proximal adapter 254 merelyabuts, and is not fixed to distal adapter 256, distal adapter 256 may bemoved distally by a user of shock absorbing device 200 to allow for theservicing of shock absorber 102. However, distal adapter 256 isprevented from moving proximally beyond where distal adapter 256 abutsproximal adapter 254 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Distal adapter 256 ismounted on distal open end 252 by conventional means such as forcingfitting or screw fitting to close open end 252. Proximal adapter 254 maybe fixed to cylinder 206 by conventional means such a screw fitting orwelding. Distal adapter 256 includes two rubber O-rings 262 and 264 thatare mounted in circular grooves 266 and 268, respectively. O-rings 262and 264 assist in providing a tight seal between cylinder 206 and distaladapter. Distal open end 252 is closed by a distal mount 242. Distalmount 242 replaces the conventional proximal end piece (not shown) forbellows 234 and is mounted on bellows 234 by conventional means such asforcing fitting or screw fitting. Preferably, distal mount 242 is madefrom a strong and durable material such as plastic or metal, such asaluminum. Distal mount 242 includes two rubber O-rings 274 and 276 thatare mounted in two respective circular grooves 278 and 280. O-rings 274and 276 slidably engage piston rod 208 as piston rod 208 slides into andout of hollow spring 204. Distal mount 242 includes a distal mountopening 282 that allows gas or fluid to be pumped into hollow spring 204or to let a gas or fluid out of hollow spring 204 using a conventionalpumping mechanism, such as an air pump (not shown) having a hose (notshown) that is attached to distal mount opening 282. Once the gas orfluid hollow spring 204 is determined to be at a desired pressure, aconventional plug (not shown) may be inserted into distal mount opening282 to close distal mount opening 282. Alternatively, a pressuremonitoring and a gas or fluid supply system (not shown) may becontinuously attached to hollow spring 204 at distal mount opening 282to maintain and/or adjust the air pressure in hollow spring 204.

Shock absorbing device 200 may be mounted similarly to a conventionalshock absorber using cylinder end mounting 284 and piston end mounting286. Although cylinder end mounting 284 and piston end mounting 286 areshown as being orthogonally oriented with respect to each other in theFIGS. 2A and 2B, because piston rod 208 is free to rotate with respectto cylinder 206, cylinder end mounting 284 and piston end mounting 286may be arranged at any rotational angle to allow shock absorbing device200 to be mounted on a car or other vehicle.

FIG. 2A shows shock absorbing device 200 in an extended configuration.In FIG. 2A, hollow spring 204 is filled with a spring filling fluid,such as air, so that distal mount 242 contacts piston head 228 and urgespiston head 228 distally from cylinder 206. In the extendedconfiguration shown in FIG. 2A, shock absorbing device 200 functionslike a conventional mechanical or spring or air spring to support avehicle (not shown) on which shock absorbing device 200 is mounted.

FIG. 2B shows shock absorbing device 200 in a compressed configuration.In FIG. 2B, shock absorbing device 200 is compressed due to an outsideforce, such as is caused by a vehicle (not shown) on which shockabsorbing device 200 is mounted driving over a bumpy road. In FIG. 2B, acompressive force has caused piston head 228 to move proximally, tocontact distal mount 242, and to urge distal mount 242 proximally towardcylinder 206 to compress hollow spring 204. As shock absorbing device200 is compressed and piston head 228 is forced proximally, the cylinderresistance material (not shown) present in cylinder chamber 224, resiststhe motion of piston rod 208 into cylinder 206 thereby dampening themotion of piston head 228, just as in a conventional shock absorber.Also resisting the compression of shock absorbing device 200 is thespring filling fluid (not shown) filling hollow spring 204. In use on acar or other vehicle, the shock absorbing device of the presentinvention provides a dual resistance motion dampening action because ofthe interactions of the shock absorber and the hollow spring of thepresent invention. The shock absorbing device of the present inventionalso provides an axially aligned dual resistance motion dampeningaction, because the shock absorber and the hollow spring share the sameaxis and, therefore, the principal compression and expansion motions ofthe shock absorber and hollow spring are axially aligned.

By adjusting the amount/pressure of the spring filling fluid in thehollow spring of the present invention, configurations intermediatebetween the configurations shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B may be obtained. Forexample, more or less air may be pumped into the hollow spring to adjustthe ride height of the vehicle relative to the wheel on which the shockabsorbing spring of the present invention is mounted. The amount ofspring filling fluid and the type of spring filling fluid filling thehollow spring will also affect the springiness of the shock absorbingdevice of the present invention, and hence, the springiness of the rideof the vehicle on which the shock absorbing device is mounted.

Because the piston and cylinder end mountings of the shock absorbingdevice of the present invention may be the piston and cylinder endmountings of a conventional shock absorber, the shock absorbing deviceof the present invention may be easily used as a replacement forconventional shock absorbers.

Although conventionally dimensioned air spring bellows are used to formthe hollow spring of the present invention in the above-describedembodiments, the shape of the bellows may be altered to allow the shockabsorbing device to be more easily mounted in particular vehiclesuspension systems or may be altered if a spring filling fluid otherthan air is used.

A preferred shock absorber for use with the present invention is a HALshock absorber made by QA1. However, various kinds of conventional shockabsorbers may be used in the shock absorbing device of the presentinvention and the present invention contemplates using other kinds ofshock absorbers in addition to the particular shock absorber describedabove.

The hollow spring of the present invention may be manufactured bymodifying a conventional air spring, as described above, or may be madeas a custom unit for use with the shock absorbing device of the presentinvention. One suitable air spring having two chambers that may bemodified for use with the shock absorbing device of the presentinvention are manufactured by Firestone® for use as air springs fortrucks. Although two hollow springs having two different shapes aredescribed above and shown in the drawings, the hollow spring of thepresent invention may also have other shapes such as a rectangular box,a square box, a triangular box, etc.

Although the shock absorbing device of the present invention has beendescribed for use with a vehicle suspension system, the presentinvention may also be useful in other force dampening applications suchas: vehicle engine mounts, aircraft landing gear, vehicle crashresistance, motion dampening of building structures, etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates a shock absorber/spring system 300 of the presentinvention in schematic form with details of various components of system300 left out for simplicity in explaining the functioning of system 300.System 300 includes two front air springs 302 and 304 of two respectivefront shock absorbing devices (not shown) of the present invention, andtwo rear air springs 306 and 308 of two respective rear shock absorbingdevices (not shown) of the present invention.

A compressor 310 is connected to a supplemental reservoir tank 312 by ahose 314. Supplemental reservoir tank 312 is connected to a mainreservoir tank 316 by a connecting hose 318. Compressor 310 generatescompressed air to fill main reservoir tank 316 and a supplementalreservoir tank 312. Main reservoir tank 316 is connected by a supplyhose 320 to supply a rear junction box 322. Rear junction box 322 isconnected to a front junction box 324 by a connection 326 so that frontjunction box 324 may be supplied with air from main reservoir tank 316.Front air springs 302 and 304 are supplied with air from front junctionbox 324 by front delivery hoses 328 and 330, respectively. Rear airsprings 306 and 308 are supplied with air from rear junction box 322 byrear delivery hoses 332 and 334. A front control panel 336 ispneumatically connected to delivery hoses 328 and 330 by front junctionbox 324 and front gauge hoses 338 and 340, respectively. A rear controlpanel 346 is pneumatically connected to delivery hoses 332 and 334 byrear junction box 322 and rear gauge hoses 348 and 350, respectively. Abattery 352 supplies power to compressor 310 through a wire 354including a fuse 356 and terminating at a ground 358, which may be thechassis of a motor vehicle (not shown) on which shock absorber/springsystem 300 is mounted. Battery 352 also supplies power to front controlpanel 336 and rear control panel 346. Contact points 1 represent thewiring (not shown in full for clarity) that connects battery 352 tofront control panel 336 and rear control panel 346. Front control panel336 is electrically connected to front junction box 324 by a frontwiring harness 360 and front wiring 362. Front wiring 362 terminates ina ground 364, which may be the chassis of the vehicle (not shown). Rearcontrol panel 346 is electrically connected to front junction box 324 bya rear wiring harness 366 and rear wiring 368. Rear wiring 368terminates in a ground 370, which may be the chassis of the motorvehicle (not shown). A negative terminal 372 of battery 352 is alsoterminated at ground 364. Although grounds 358, 364 and 370 appear asseparate grounds in FIG. 3, these grounds may be the same ground.

In operation, the air pressure in front air springs 302 and 304 ismeasured by front control panel 336 on a front air pressure gauge 374.Front air pressure gauge 374 includes two needles 376, each of whichindicates the air pressure for one of the two front air springs 302 and304. In order to adjust the pressure in either of front air springs 302and 304, an appropriate switch (not shown) on front control panel 336 isactivated to trigger one or more solenoids (not shown) in front junctionbox 324. The solenoids, which are pneumatic valves operated by anelectric coil, may be used to inflate one of front air springs 302 and304 by releasing air from main reservoir tank 316 into the appropriatefront shock absorbing device. Solenoids may also be used to deflate oneof the front air springs 302 and 304 by releasing air from theappropriate front shock absorbing device into the atmosphere throughexhaust ports (not shown) in front junction box 324.

In operation, the air pressure in rear air springs 306 and 308 ismeasured by rear control panel 346 on a rear air pressure gauge 378.Rear air pressure gauge 378 includes two needles 380, each of whichindicates the air pressure for one of the two rear air springs 306 and308. In order to adjust the pressure in either of rear air springs 306and 308, an appropriate switch (not shown) on rear control panel 346 isactivated to trigger one or more solenoids (not shown) in rear junctionbox 322. The solenoids, which are pneumatic valves operated by anelectric coil, may be used to inflate one of rear air springs 306 and308 by releasing air from main reservoir tank 316 into the appropriaterear shock absorbing device. Solenoids may also be used to deflate oneof the rear air springs 306 and 308 by releasing air from theappropriate rear shock absorbing device into the atmosphere throughexhaust ports (not shown) in rear junction box 322.

Mounted on compressor 310 is a pressure switch 382. Pressure switch 382is a sensor that causes compressor 310 to turn on when the pressure inmain reservoir tank 316 drops below a minimum pressure and causescompressor to turn off when the pressure in main reservoir tank 316reaches a maximum pressure. One preferred pressure switch turns thecompressor on when the main reservoir tank drops below 115 psi and turnsthe compressor off when the main reservoir tank reaches 130 psi. Onepreferred pressure switch for use with an automobile turns thecompressor on when the main reservoir tank drops below 135 psi and turnsthe compressor off when the main reservoir tank reaches 150 psi. Otherminimum and maximum pressures may be preferred depending on how theshock absorber/spring system of the present invention is being used.

Although the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 hasfront shock absorbing devices having a two-compartment structure, thefront shock absorbing devices of a shock absorber/spring device of thepresent invention may have any convenient structure. Similarly, althoughthe embodiment shown in FIG. 3 has rear shock absorbing devices atapered cylindrical structure, the front shock absorbing devices of ashock absorber/spring device of the present invention may have anyconvenient structure.

Although one preferred shock absorber/spring system of the presentinvention is described above and shown in FIG. 3, the present inventionencompasses using various configurations of compressors, junction boxes,reservoir tanks, control panels, electrical systems, pneumatic systems,etc.

A preferred compressor for the shock absorber/spring system of thepresent invention is a 12V powered unit that is able to crate 115-150psi of compressed air. In order to fill the reservoir tanks of the shockabsorber/spring system of the present invention more quickly, multiplecompressors may be used.

One or more tanks may be used an air supply reservoir for the shockabsorber/spring system of the present invention. Such a tank allows anoperator to inflate the shock absorbing devices of the present inventionwith minimal delay. In general, the larger the volume of the reservoir,the more quickly the shock absorbing devices may be inflated.

Although the present invention has been fully described in conjunctionwith the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, it is to be understood that various changes and modificationsmay be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes andmodifications are to be understood as included within the scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims, unless they departtherefrom.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shock absorbing device comprising: a hollowspring including a chamber, said hollow spring having a proximal end, adistal end, and a bellows comprised of a springy material connectingsaid proximal end to said distal end and enclosing said chamber; adistal mount mounted on said distal end of said hollow spring; aproximal mount mounted on said proximal end of said hollow spring; ashock absorber extending through said proximal mount, said hollowspring, and said distal mount, said shock absorber including: a cylinderextending through and being attached to said proximal mount; and apiston assembly having a piston, a piston rod and a piston assemblydistal end, said piston slidably engaging said cylinder, said piston rodextending through and slidably engaging said distal mount, said pistonassembly distal end including a contacting means for urging said distalmount and said hollow spring distal end proximally when said contactingmeans is forced against said distal mount and for urging said pistonassembly distally when said distal mount is forced against saidcontacting means, wherein said distal mount has mounted therein at leastone distal O-ring for sealingly engaging said piston rod.
 2. The shockabsorbing device of claim 1, wherein said distal mount has mountedtherein at least two distal O-rings for sealingly engaging said pistonrod.
 3. The shock absorbing device of claim 2, wherein said proximalmount has mounted therein at least one proximal O-ring for sealinglyengaging said cylinder.
 4. The shock absorbing device of claim 3,wherein said proximal mount has mounted therein at least two proximalO-rings for sealingly engaging said cylinder.
 5. The shock absorbingdevice of claim 1, wherein said proximal mount has mounted therein atleast one proximal O-ring for sealingly engaging said cylinder.
 6. Theshock absorbing device of claim 5, wherein said proximal mount hasmounted therein at least two proximal O-rings for sealingly engagingsaid cylinder.
 7. The shock absorbing device of claim 5, wherein said atleast one proximal O-ring is made of rubber.
 8. The shock absorbingdevice of claim 1, wherein said at least one distal O-ring is made ofrubber.
 9. The shock absorbing device of claim 1, wherein said hollowspring is at least partially filled with a spring filling fluid.
 10. Theshock absorbing device of claim 9, wherein said spring filling fluidfills said hollow spring so that said hollow spring urges said distalmount to contact said contacting means, thereby urging said pistonassembly distally.
 11. The shock absorbing device of claim 1, whereinsaid hollow spring comprises a two-compartment bellows.
 12. The shockabsorbing device of claim 1, wherein said hollow spring comprises acylindrical bellows.
 13. The shock absorbing device of claim 1, whereinsaid distal mount comprises a plate.
 14. The shock absorbing device ofclaim 1, wherein piston assembly distal end comprises a distal vehiclemounting means for mounting said shock absorbing device on a vehicle andsaid contacting means is connected to said distal vehicle mountingmeans.
 15. The shock absorbing device of claim 14, wherein saidcontacting means further comprises a spacer slidably mounted on saidpiston rod between said distal mount and said contacting means.
 16. Theshock absorbing device of claim 1, further comprising mounting means onsaid shock absorbing device for mounting said shock absorbing device ona vehicle.
 17. The shock absorbing device of claim 1, further comprisingmeans for regulating the amount of a spring filling fluid filling saidhollow spring.
 18. A shock absorbing device comprising: a hollow springincluding a chamber, said hollow spring having a proximal end, a distalend, and a bellows comprised of a springy material connecting saidproximal end to said distal end and enclosing said chamber; a distalmount mounted on said distal end of said hollow spring; a proximal mountmounted on said proximal end of said hollow spring; a shock absorberextending through said proximal mount, said hollow spring, and saiddistal mount, said shock absorber including: a cylinder extendingthrough and being attached to said proximal mount; and a piston assemblyhaving a piston, a piston rod and a piston assembly distal end, saidpiston slidably engaging said cylinder, said piston rod extendingthrough and slidably engaging said distal mount, said piston assemblydistal end including a contacting means for urging said distal mount andsaid hollow spring distal end proximally when said contacting means isforced against said distal mount and for urging said piston assemblydistally when said distal mount is forced against said contacting means,wherein said proximal mount has mounted therein at least one O-ring forsealingly engaging said cylinder.
 19. The shock absorbing device ofclaim 18, wherein said proximal mount has mounted therein at least twoO-rings for sealingly engaging said cylinder.
 20. The shock absorbingdevice of claim 18, wherein said at least one O-ring is made of rubber.21. The shock absorbing device of claim 18, wherein said hollow springis at least partially filled with a spring filling fluid.
 22. The shockabsorbing device of claim 21, wherein said spring filling fluid fillssaid hollow spring so that said hollow spring urges said distal mount tocontact said contacting means, thereby urging said piston assemblydistally.
 23. The shock absorbing device of claim 18, wherein saidhollow spring comprises a two-compartment bellows.
 24. The shockabsorbing device of claim 18, wherein said hollow spring comprises acylindrical bellows.
 25. The shock absorbing device of claim 18, whereinsaid distal mount comprises a plate.
 26. The shock absorbing device ofclaim 18, wherein piston assembly distal end comprises a distal vehiclemounting means for mounting said shock absorbing device on a vehicle andsaid contacting means is connected to said distal vehicle mountingmeans.
 27. The shock absorbing device of claim 26, wherein saidcontacting means further comprises a spacer slidably mounted on saidpiston rod between said distal mount and said contacting means.
 28. Theshock absorbing device of claim 18, further comprising mounting means onsaid shock absorbing device for mounting said shock absorbing device ona vehicle.
 29. The shock absorbing device of claim 18, furthercomprising means for regulating the amount of a spring filling fluidfilling said hollow spring.
 30. The shock absorbing device of claim 18,wherein said proximal mount further includes: a first adapter forsealingly engaging said cylinder, said first adapter including thereinsaid at least one O-ring; and a second adapter for engaging said hollowspring, said second adapter including a proximal end for abuttingagainst a distal end of said first adapter, and said second adapterbeing separable from said first adapter.
 31. The shock absorbing deviceof claim 30, wherein said first adapter includes therein at least twoO-rings for sealingly engaging said cylinder.
 32. The shock absorbingdevice of claim 31, wherein said two O-rings are made of rubber.
 33. Theshock absorbing device of claim 30, wherein said at least one O-ring ismade of rubber.
 34. A mounting device comprising a mount including: aplate shaped structure for sealing a first end of a hollow spring andfor allowing said mount to be mounted on a mounting ringcircumferentially surrounding and mounted on said first end of saidhollow spring; and a neck structure for circumferentially and sealinglyengaging a piston rod of a shock absorber extending through said mount,said neck structure extending substantially perpendicularly from saidplate shaped structure and said neck structure including therein atleast one circular groove for mounting within said neck structure atleast one O-ring for circumferentially and sealingly engaging saidpiston rod.
 35. The mounting device of claim 34, wherein said at leastone circular groove comprises at least two circular grooves for mountingwithin said mount at least two respective O-rings.
 36. The mountingdevice of claim 35, further comprising said at least two respectiveO-rings mounted in said at least two circular grooves.
 37. The mountingdevice of claim 36, wherein said O-rings are made of rubber.
 38. Themounting device of claim 34, further comprising said at least one O-ringmounted in said circular groove.
 39. The mounting device of claim 38,wherein said O-ring is made of rubber.
 40. The mounting device of claim34, wherein said plate shaped structure further includes an opening forallowing a spring filling fluid to pass into and out of said hollowspring.
 41. A mounting device comprising a mount including: a plateshaped structure for sealing a first end of said hollow spring and forallowing said mount to be mounted on a mounting ring circumferentiallysurrounding and mounted on said first end of said hollow spring; and aneck structure for circumferentially and sealingly engaging cylinder ofa shock absorber extending through said mount, said neck structureextending substantially perpendicularly from said plate shaped structureand said neck structure including therein at least one circular groovefor mounting within said neck structure at least one O-ring forcircumferentially and sealingly engaging said cylinder.
 42. The mountingdevice of claim 41, wherein said at least one circular groove comprisesat least two circular grooves for mounting within said mount at leasttwo respective O-rings.
 43. The mounting device of claim 42, furthercomprising said at least two respective O-rings mounted in said at leasttwo circular grooves.
 44. The mounting device of claim 43, wherein saidO-rings are made of rubber.
 45. The mounting device of claim 41, furthercomprising said at least one O-ring mounted in said circular groove. 46.The mounting device of claim 45, wherein said O-ring is made of rubber.47. The mounting device of claim 41, wherein said neck structure furtherincludes screw threads for engaging screw threads on said cylinder.